Officers with Singapore's national water agency PUB may soon have powers to forcibly enter a landowner's premises to address coastal flood risks. These powers are part of the Coastal Protection and Other Amendments Bill, which was tabled for Second Reading in Parliament on Friday (March 6). Should the Bill be passed, these powers will help PUB officers carry out coastal protection functions, deter undesirable behaviours and provide immunities for officers carrying out their duties. In particular, the power to conduct forced entry can only be used as a last resort, such as in the event of an imminent coastal flooding event. «This power of forced entry will only be used judiciously, and only where there is an imminent coastal flooding event,» Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu told the House. «I would like to assure Members that we have set a high bar to activate this clause.» Immunities for authorised officers will also only apply if they have acted in good faith and with reasonable care. Read more